Soccer and softball won’t be alone on the KIF schedule this week, as boys basketball shoots its way onto the scene, starting on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Kapa’a and Waimea open up the highly anticipated hoops season at the Bernice Hundley
Soccer and softball won’t be alone on the KIF schedule this week, as boys basketball shoots its way onto the scene, starting on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Kapa’a and Waimea open up the highly anticipated hoops season at the Bernice Hundley Gymnasium, tipping off at 5:30 p.m., with the JV contest. The varsity boys hit the court 20 minutes after the completion of the JV game.
Elton Montemayor begins another year as the head coach for Waimea and with key returnees like Brendan McDaniels, Alden Lahip, Chad Barba, Calsen Agrade, and Chris Newcomb, the Menehune are clearly the team to beat in the KIF.
A good indication of that prediction rests squarely in the Hilo matchups, as Waimea proved to be the toughest challenge to the BIIF powerhouse.
The Menehune fell to Hilo, 60-50, behind a strong effort of McDaniels, who seems to be coming into his own as a basketball player.
Waimea was also very impressive in an off-island preseason tournament, going 2-1. Meanwhile, Kaua’i and senior shooting guard Josh Bradbury shouldn’t be counted out for a bid at the top.
The Red Raiders also gave the Vikings headaches, but in the end, Hilo prevailed, 64-55. Kaua’i will once again be coached by Brandon Fujita.
The defending champions field a young, inexperienced team, with nine players moving up to the varsity level from an undefeated JV squad.
Kaua’i’s captains are Irah Nishi, Bradbury, and Jordan Cox.
Kapa’a begins a new era of hoops under first-year head coach Phillip Baclayan, who takes over for Ed Phillips.
Kapa’a’s key returnees are Greg Ragsac, Junnel Calpito, Nate Beralas, Mike Lindsey, and Chris Ramelb. Against Hilo, the Warriors fell, 83-58.
Speetjens makes the corner kick
In Friday’s sports page, Kaua’i boys soccer player Agu Garcia was given credit for a corner kick, which led to Danny Riggle’s header. However, it was Frank Speetjens who made the corner kick.
